Golden State’s Kevin Durant was named the MVP of the NBA Finals series after scoring 39 points in the Warriors’ 129-120 series-clinching win against Cleveland on Monday. The Warriors won the best-of-seven finals series 4-1.
Durant scored at least 30 points in each game of the finals, averaging 35.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. He also shot 55.5 percent from the field and made 47.4 percent of his three-pointers.
On Monday, the Warriors took a double digit lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter after a 28-4 scoring run, then never relinquished that lead for the rest of the game.
Durant grabbed 7 rebounds and 5 assists to go with his team-high 39 points in the win. Stephen Curry added 34 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, while Andre Iguodala came off the bench to score 20 points for the Warriors, who have won two of the last three NBA championships. Last year, the Cavaliers won the championship after winning the series against the Warriors 4-3.
LeBron James led Cleveland with 41 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists. Kyrie Irving contributed 26 points and 6 assists, while J.R. Smith scored 25 for the Cavaliers.
By Eric Mann
Eric Mann is the communications assistant at the United States Sports Academy. Reach him at emann@ussa.edu.